Tudor Times is the online repository for all things Tudor and Stewart (1485–1625)

On 29th April 1540, Emperor Charles V, in his capacity as Count of Flanders, formally revoked all of the privileges enjoyed by the town of Ghent. The city, one of the most important trading hubs in northern Europe, had rebelled against a tax of some 400 thousand guelders that had been imposed the previous year on Flanders. Ghent had requested to provide soldiers rather than cash, but Charles, and his sister Mary, who was his Regent, had refused. Charles arrived in person to quash the rebellion, accompanied by an army of nobles and supporters from across his empire, as well as an army of soldiers. The town’s right to self-government, confirmed by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy in 1453 after a previous rebellion (pictured), was abolished.

On 28th April 1489 Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland, was lynched by a mob when attempting to collect tax. It was believed that the crowd’s real motive was vengeance for Northumberland’s refusal to deploy his troops at the Battle of Bosworth. Summoned by Richard III, he raised his feudal levy but watched the battle without intervening. His motives are unknown – his family were traditional Lancastrians, but he had served Edward IV faithfully. His personal relationship with Richard III fluctuated as Richard took many of the northern offices formerly held by the Percys. As a child, he had been a hostage together with Henry Tudor, under the control of William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, so bonds of friendship may have been created then between the two Henrys. Perhaps Northumberland was just sick of bloodshed and sought to protect his own men from slaughter.

His tomb (pictured) is in Beverly Minster.

On 27th April 1522, the Battle of Bicocca was fought between the allied forces of France and Venice, against the Spanish-Imperial-Papal force. It was a significant battle, in that it effectively ended French dominance in the Duchy of Milan. It is also important for the part played by heavy artillery – the Spanish guns massacred the Swiss pike-formations – previously the most successful military tool of the early 16th century. The forces were led by Odet de Foix, Viscount Lautrec, for France and Prospero Colonna (pictured) for the victors.